Bathtub shower enclosure



Jan, 18, 1955 cz. E. SMITH BATHTUB SHOWER ENCLOSURE Fina April 30, 1954 A TTOR/Vfy Jari. 18,1955 c, E, sun-g I ggy BATHTUB SHOWER EzNcLosURE Filed April 30, .1954

United States Patent 2,699,828 BATHTUB SHOWER EN CLOSURE Charles E. Smith, Hartford, Conn., assignor to The Duraflex Corporation, East Hartford, Conn., a corporation of' Connecticut Application April 30, 1954, Serial No. 426,704 Claims. (Cl. 160-392) This invention relates to improvements in means for enclosing a bathtub shower installation or the like and, more particularly, to improvements in the construction of a panel for such enclosure means.

It is the general object of the invention to provide a bathtub shower enclosure of simple and economical form alrlid which can easily be installed by persons unskilled in t e art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lightweight but sturdy and durable panel for a shower enclosure or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide an enclosure of the aforementioned type comprising elements which may be packaged in partly assembled condition within one compact container.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with the attached drawings which, by way of preferred example only, illustriltehone specific embodiment of the invention and in w 1c Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a bathtub sho-wer enclosure constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken as indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a corner portion of a panel forming a part of the enclosure;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of said corner with parts broken away to illustrate details thereof;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the corner-forming frame elements separated to illustrate details; and

Fig. 6 is a view of a corner portion of the plastic sheet utilized in the panel construction.

By way of general description with reference to Fig. 1, it may be said that the enclosure of the present invention comprises a pair of similar panels 10, 10 which are slidably engaged in side-by-side relationship in a bottom track 12 and a top track 14. It will be noted that the bottom track 12 extends along the top of the outer wall of a bathtub 16 and the top track 14 extends between the bathroom walls 18, 18 which abut the ends of the bathtub. It should also be noted that the panels 10, 10 extend upwardly so as to enclose the area well above the tub 16 to thereby prevent splashing of water emitting from a shower head 20 which projects from one wall 18 well above the said tub. t

It is an important feature of the present invention that each of the panels 10, 10 is of lightweight construction so that a person can easily slide the panels within the tracks 12 and 14 and so that the said panels can easily be lifted into place or replaced as will be more specically described hereinafter. In keeping with lightweight construction, each panel 10 has a frame comprising elongated metallic side frame members 22, 22 and similar top and bottom frame members 24, 24 which retain and hold taut a lightweight flexible and resilient sheet of plastic 26. Each of said panels is also provided with a transversely extending bar 28 which is secured at its ends to the side frame members 22, 22 to reenforce the V panel frame structure, to provide a convenient hand grip, and to also provide a bar for hanging of towels and wash cloths or the like.

In referring more particularly to the construction of a panel 10 and to the plastic sheet forming a part thereof, attention is invited to Figs. 2 to 6. Each side and top frame member 22 and 24 comprises an elongated channel of generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration and is preferably fabricated by an extruding process.

While other lightweight materials may be used, it is 2,699,828 Patented Jam. 18, 1955 preferred that aluminum be utilized in the manufacture of the frame members. All of said frame members can initially be formed in one extruded channel-like piece and then cut to the proper lengths to form the side and top frame members. In the extruding process, the stock from which the frame members are cut is provided with a back wall 30 and side walls 32, 32. A pair of ribs 34, 34 forming an extension ofthe side walls 32, 32 are provided to extend rearwardly of the back wall 30. A second pair of ribs 36, 36 are provided on the side Walls 32, 32 and face inwardly therefrom. It may be said that the ribs 36, 36 define an opening 38 adjacent the back wall 30 and an opening 40 along the open side of the channel or frame member.

As best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the side and top frame members 22 and 24 are interconnected in a mitred corner. More speciiically, the open ends of said frame members are cut off at substantially 45 and engaged along the 45 cut olf edges of 42, 42. The means for securing the mitred corner comprises a generally rectangular block 44 which is located within the openings 38, 38 at the adjacent ends of the frame members 22 and 24. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, each block 44 is inserted within the opening 38 in the side frame member 22 and secured in such position by means of a screw 46 extending through a suitable hole in the rear wall 30 of the side frame member. A portion of the block 44 extends beyond the opening 38 in the side frame member 22 and is received within the opening 38 in the top frame member 24 and secured therewithin by a screw 48 extending through a suitable hole in the back wall 30 of the top frame member 24. It will be quite apparent that each block 44 secures the adjacent side and top frame members against relative movement in any direction and it is well known that a mitred corner construction in addition to its attractive appearance, is inherently stronger than other similarly simple corner constructions.

It is an important and novel aspect of the invention to secure the side and end frame members 22 and 24 in mitred corners with the said frame members having internal gripping means for holding taut the plastic sheet 26. While mitred corner frame structures have been used to support sheet materials, so far as I am aware, no such frame structures have been adapted to internally grip the edges of the sheet without employing detachable securing strips or other supplemental elements. Heretofore, there has been the unsolved problem of engaging the frame members in mitred corners after the frame members have been brought into place to grip and apply tension along the respective edges of the sheet.

In accordance with the present invention, the mitred corner frame members 22 and 24 are adapted to internally grip the plastic sheet 26 and apply tension thereto without the incorporation of additional securing strips or the like and the said sheet is particularly adapted to cooperate with the gripping means.

The internal gripping means provided on each frame member comprises the internally projecting ribs 36, 36 which are provided on the side walls 32, 32. As shown in Fig. 2, said ribs are adapted to retain Within a frame member an enlarged edge of the sheet 26 such as may be provided by forming a hollow bead on the said edge. More specifically, the ribs 36, 36 prevent Withdrawal of the rolled or hollow beaded edge through the side opening 40 when the said rolled edge is disposed within the longitudinally extending opening 38.

For optimum cooperation with the ribs 36, 36 on the respective side frame members 22, 22, the side edges of the plastic sheet 26 are rolled as shown in Fig. 6. More specifically, the side edge portions of the sheet 26 are enfolded and then heat sealed or otherwise secured to deiine longitudinally extending open end loops o1' hollow beaded edges such as indicated by the reference numeral 50. Thereafter, a rod 52, preferably plastic, is longitudinally inserted within each loop 50 and the rolled edge is then inserted longitudinally within the opening 38 in the associated side frame member 22 and the sheet projects from the neck defined between the ribs 36, 36. The rod 52 iills the opening defined in the loop 50 and thereby prevents movement of the side edge through the neck when tension is applied to the sheet 26.

In'the preferred lmethod 'of assembly of a panel 10, the side -frame members 22,422 areattachedV to the side edge portions of the sheet `26 and then the blocks 44, 44 are secured in the open ends of the side frame members -to prevent inadvertent disassembly by relative long1- tudinalimovement` of lthe sideframe members and the Iside edges of the sheet.

The top and bottom edges of the sheet 26 areadapted Sina generally similar manner torbe secured within the top and bottom frame member 24, 24, but said top and bottom edges are particularly `adapted to permit connection of said-top and bottom frame members to the side frame members in -mitred corners. The top and bottom edges ofthe `sheet are similarly adapted and, "therefore, a-description of the top edge adaptation as .shown 1in Fig.` 6 will -be understood to cover the bottom edge adaptations-also.

The rolled or hollowfbeaded" portion 54 is formed on fan extension from the top edge 56 of the sheet 26, said extension being kspaced inwardly from the sideV edges of lthe sheet as shown in LFig. 6. It .is important to note that lthe said rolled extension 54-is connected to the top edge 56 on ai curved edge-58 to avoid sharp corners which might tear when tension is applied along the rolled portion. `Spacing 'the hollow beadedextension 54 yinwardly .from the vside edges of the sheet 26 permits Vinsertion ot therod 60 within therolled extension while the side edges yof the sheet are held by the side frame members and also lpermits insertion of the top frame member 24. In in* .serting the topframe member over the rolled edge 54 fand between the side frame members, considerable tension will be applied to the sheet 26 and will cause the same to stretch. However, such stretching may be ac complished without tearing the sheet because of the provision of the arcuate edge 58 as described above. After the top frame memberV 24 is inserted over the rolled edge 'extensionr54 and .rod 60,' the said frame member is brought into engagement with the ends of the side frame lmembers 22, 22 along the complementary 45 edges 42, 42 and the' screws 48, 48 are threaded into the respective rblocks 44, -44 to secure the frame members in connected relationship. j

lt will be readily understood that in connecting the frame members and plastic sheet in the manner described, optimum advantage is taken of the inherent elasticity `of the plastic sheet. It will also be understood that when .the panel is assembled, the sheet 26 is held under tension-applied longitudinally aswell as transversely so as to be drawn taut in all directions.

As a final step in the assembly of a panel 10, the towel "and gripping bar 28 is placed across the panel and secured at its ends to the side frame members 22, 22 by screws 62,A 62 extending through the side frame members in the openings 38, 38 and adjacent the respective back walls 30, 30 thereof.

As previously mentioned, the assembled panels 10, 10 are mounted to enclose the bathtub shower installation on the bottom track 12 and top track 14. The bottom track 12 is preferably formed of plastic material which may be painted to duplicate the color of the aluminum panel frame members. A suitable mastic is spread across lthe top of the outer wall of the bathtub 16 and the plastic track 12 laid therealong. VAssh'own in Fig. 2, the track member 12 comprises a double channel having a bottom wall 64 and side walls 66, 66/ and an intermediate wall 68. One channel is provided for each panel 10 and the panels are mounted thereon 'so that their respective towel vbars 28, 28 lextend in opposite directions permitting free sliding movement of the panels in sideby-side relationship.

The upper track 14 is of three-piece 4construction as shown iin Fig. v1. AMore specically,.the upper track 14 comprises two members of generally U-shaped cross- ?section'al conguration 70,'v 70 which telescopically receive a third member 72 of cross-sectional 'configuration generally similar to the cross-sectional coniiguration of the bottom trackv 12. In other words, the member 72 comprises aback wall' and two side walls with an intermediate wall providing two channels which receive the top edges or frame members of the panels in a sideby-side relationship. v One of the members 7i) is fixedly secured to the member 72 while the other member 70 is Vadjustable therealong to adjust the elective length of the track 14. Said other member 70 is provided with a slot 74 adjacent its innerV end and a bolt 76, having a non-turning head 78 disposed within one of the channels dened within the member 72extends throughsaid member 72 and the slot 74. The projecting upper end of the bolt 76 receives a knurled tightening nut 80 for the purpose of clamping the adjustable member '70 in selected position in the manner shown in Fig. 8.

The aforedescribed telescoping top track 14 is particularly adapted to adjust to the length of the various. size bathtubs so as to extend between the bathroom walls 18, 18'which abut the ends of a bathtub 16. A socket plate 82 is secured to each wall 18 and denes a generally rectangular socket for receiving the adjacent end of the track 14. Flhe plates 82, 82 may be secured to the walls 18, 18 by a mastic or cement and then the upper track 14 is extended therebetweento rmly engageV within each socketrplate andv the.nut.80. is tightened to secure the said track in extended position.

It is believed that all of the .advantages of the aforedescribed bathtub shower enclosure will become readily apparent rin the consideration .of a `description of the assembly of the elements in taking such elements from a suitable merchandising or shipping container. Sucha container may be tubular but in anyevent shouldbe elongated to receive the longest frame members andtrack members. in preparing the elements of the enclosure for shipmentwithin such afcontainer, the top and' bottom frame members 24, 24 of the two panels 10 are removed from the panel and placed within the container in endtoend relationship. The top track is placed within the container in assembled condition and its length is extended to be equal` to the distance from the Vtop ofithe bathtub 16 to the point on the bathroom walls 18, 18 at which thev socketplates 82, 82 should be locatedto receivevthe track 14 for accommodation of the panels 10, 10. The plastic sheets 26, 26 and the side frame members 22, 22 utilized in the two panels 10 are placed within the container in partly assembled condition. More specifically, after the sheet 26 is secured by its respective side frame'rnernbers 22, 22 and with the rectangular block elements 44, 44secured within the ends of the side frame members, the said sheet is rolled about one or both of the side framemembers so as to connethe bulk thereof for packaging.

The plastic bottom channel member 12 is provided in a length in excess of .that which is anticipated to be necessary for most bathtub installations and placed within the container.

The remaining enclosure elements, comprising the towel bars 28, 28 and the plastic rods 60,60, are laid within the package to extend generally parallel to the previously described elements and the necessary mastic for securing the bottom track 12 and the socket plates 82, 82 may be furnished in a tube which is placed within the container along with the socket plates 82, 82.

The first step in the preferred method of installing the bathtub shower enclosure comprises removing the top track 14 from the container and holding the same in a vertical position to extend from the tub 16 along the respectivel tube enclosing walls 18, 18 and marking said walls along the top end of the channel 14 to indicate the position kwherein the socket plates 82, 82 should be located. Then the said socket plates 82, 82 are secured in place on the respective tube enclosing walls 18, 18. Thereafter, the top track 14 is extended along the tub to .simultaneously engage the walls 18, 18 to measure the distance therebetween. lWith the ltop track secured in the adjusted extended position measuring said distance, theV same is then used to measure the required length of the bottom track 12 and the excess of said bottom track 12 maybe easily cut olf. Then, the bottom track is -cemented to the tub 16 and the top track secured between the socket plates 82, 32. In the final steps ofk assembly, each panel 10 is put in place by inserting its top edge within its respective channel defined in the top track 14 and then dropping the panel into place within its respective channel in the bottom track 12. in this connection, itis important to note that the channels delined in the top track 14 are relatively deep so that when a panel 10 is thrust upwardly therein the bottom edge of the panel will clear the bottom track 12. When dropped into place `in the bottom track 12, the top edges of the panels will still beretained within their respective channels in the top 'track 14.

Accordingly, the weight of the panels 10, 10 is1supvported rentirely bythe bottom track 12. In this connection, it should be observed that the ribs 34, 34 extending along the bottom frame members 24, 24 provide runners which engage the bottom wall 64 of the channels defined in the bottom track 12. Obviously, such runners reduce the friction and thereby provide means for sliding the panels 10, without excessive force. Such arrangement tor `sliding the panels is only feasible in a lightweight construction of the type shown. ln the more conventional heavy glass and plastic shower panels and doors, it is necessary to suspend the weight thereof on complex and expensive track mechanism.

Another advantage in the relatively thin lightweight plastic sheet resides in its ability to recover or return to its normal plane after it has been deliected therefrom by a blow or by the application of other forces.

A further advantage in the use of a lightweight relatively thin plastic sheet is attained from the apparent economy thereof. Because the sheets 26, 26 are relatively cheap, they can be replaced without unwarranted expense and without requiring the skill of a craftsman. lt will be quite apparent that the sheets can be removed and replaced by disassembly of the frame members 22 and 24 by even the most unskilled persons. In this connection, it may be desirable to have available a supply of plastic sheets in various colors which may also be etched in figurative fand decorative designs and which may lbe transparent, translucent, or opaque as desired.

While the construction of the panels has been `described with specific reference to a prefer-red use thereof in a bathtub shower enclosure, it will be understood that generally similar panels falling within the scope of the invention may be used for other purposes and 4in other installations. Therefore, it is not my intention to limit the invention to the preferred embodiment shown `and described otherwise than indicated by the claims which follow.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a panel construction for a bathtub shower enclosure, the combination comprising a generally rectangular relatively `thin sheet of plastic having a portion of enlarged cross-sectional area along the top edge and along the bottom edge thereof each of which enlarged portions terminates a substantial distance inwardly from a side edge of Ithe sheet, a pair of side frame members securing the side edges and having open mitred ends projecting beyond the top and bottom edges of the sheet, a pair of end frame members for securing the top and bottom edges of the sheet, each of which has mitred ends complementary to the mitred ends of said side frame members and each of which defines a longitudinally extending channel of generally U-shaped cross section adapted to receive the respective enlarged portion at the top and `bottom of the sheet by sliding movement thereover, means in each of said channels for preventing movement of the respective enlarged portion through the open side of the channel whereby said end frame members will engage the top and bottom edges of the sheet and lapply tension thereto, and a block secured within each open end of said side trame members and secured to the adjacent end of yan end frame member to re-inforce the mitred corner connections between said side frame members and said end frame members.

2. -In a panel construction for a bathtub shower enclosure, Ithe combination comprising a generally rectangular relatively thin sheet of plastic having portions extending beyond its top and bottom edges which portions terminate a substantial distance from at least one of the side edges of the sheet, each of said portions being enfolded upon :itself and secured in enfolded position to define an open end loop, a rod disposed within each loop, a pair of side frame members having `internal gripping means engaging the side edges of the sheet and having mitred ends projecting beyond the top and bottom edges of the sheet, a pair of frame members for the top and bottom edges, respectively, of the sheet, each of said pair of frame members having mitred ends complementary to the ends of said side frame members and each having an elongated generally U-shaped channel adapted to receive a loop and rod when the frame member is thrust longitudinally thereover and each of said pair of frame members also having means for preventing movement of the associated loop and rod through the open side of the channel, whereby said pair of frame members are engaged in mitred corner connections with said side frame members and grip the sheet to draw the same taut between all of said frame members.

3. In a panel construction for a bathtub shower enclosure, the combination comprising a generally recangular relatively thin sheet of plastic having portions extending beyond its top and bottom edges which portions terminate a substantial distance from at least one of the side edges of the sheet, each of said portions being enfolded upon itself and secured in enfolded position to define an open end loop, a rod disposed within each loop, a pair of side frame members having `internal gripping means engaging the side edges of said sheet and having mitred ends projecting beyond the top and bottom edges of the sheet, a pair of frame members for the top and bottom edges, respectively, of the sheet each of said pair of said frame members having mitred ends complementary to the ends yof said side frame members and each having an elongated generally U-shaped channel adapted to receive a loop and rod when the frame member is thrust longitudinally thereover, each of said pair of frame members also having means deiining a neck within said channel through which said sheet extends which neck prevents movement of the associated loop and rod through the open side of the channel, and means at each end of said side frame members for securing the same to the adjacent ends of said pair of frame members to re-inforce mitred corner connections therewith while said sheet -is drawn ta-ut between all of said frame members.

4. In a panel construction for a bathtub shower enclosure, the combination comprising a generally rectangular relatively thin sheet of plastic having its .side edge portions secured in enfolded positions `to define open end loops and having extending portions along its end edges terminating inwardly from said enfolded side edges, said extending portions also being secured in enf-olded positions to denne open end loops, a rod disposed in each of said loops, a pair of side frame members having mitred ends projecting beyond the end edges of said sheet and each having means for retaining the looped side edges of said sheet, and a pair of end trame members having mitred ends complementary 4to the mitred ends of said side frame members and having means defining longitudinally extending channels for receiving and gripping the enfolded portions at the top and bottom edges of said sheet whereby said sheet can be stretched lengthwise for engagement with said end frame members and whereby said end frame members will engage said side frame members in mitred corner connections to retain said sheet under longitudinal and transverse tension.

5. In a panel construction for a `bathtub shower enclosure, the combination comprising a generally rectangular lrelatively thin sheet of plastic having its side edge portions secured in enfolded positions to define open end loops and having portions extending from its end edges and connected to said end edges `in arcuate edges which extending portions are secured in enfolded positions to delne open end loops along the top and bottom edges of said sheet which open end loops terminate a substantial distance inwardly from the enfolded side edge portions of the sheet, a rod secured in each of said loops, a pair of side frame members having mitred ends projecting beyond the top and bottom edges of said sheet and having channel means embracing and securing the enfolded side edges of said sheet, a block secured in the mitred end of each of said side frame members to prevent relative longitudinal movement of the side edge loops and rods disposed therein, and a pair of end frame members having mitred `ends complementary to the mitred ends of said side frame members and having means defining channels adapted to embrace and secure the enfolded extensions along the top and bottom edges of said sheet whereby said sheet can be stretched longitudinally to receive said end frame members and whereby said end frame members may be secured to said blocks to re-inforce the mitred corner connections with said side frame members and to retain said sheet under longitudinal and transverse tension.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Volpe Sept. 6, 1938 

